MONROE - Common Council President Dan Henke announced Wednesday he is running for 80th Assembly District as a Republican in a bid to replace former city native Brett Davis.
His campaign slogan is Build a Better Wisconsin.
Henke made his official announcement at The Idle Hour Mansion, during the Republican Party of Green County Lincoln Day Recep-tion.
Davis, R-Oregon, is stepping down from the position to pursue his run for the office of lieutenant governor this year.
Henke is currently Alderman of Ward 8, in addition to council president. Henke and Ron Starmer are owners of D-H Builders Inc., Monroe.
"When I ran for council three years ago, Brett (Davis) called me and said, "Why don't you come up to the state and get the housing market started again,'" Henke said.
As a developer and builder of homes and apartments for 33 years, Henke said his forte' is his business experience.
Henke said he has put people to work building 800 homes and apartments.
"Each foundation we dig is another 40 people working," he said.
"I'd like to get on the housing committee, because they keep taking programs away from us," Henke said.
He mentioned specifically single-family housing guaranteed loans and veterans' home loans.
"Veterans need and deserve good housing, and jobs - why not let them work building their own?" he said.
Henke also said he'd like to help get small rural energy efficient homes developed.
Relatively new to politics, Henke said he learned to be patient and to listen during his time on Common Council.
"Walking through the business, you make a decision and it's done," Henke said. "But I learned on council, you should take your time, because you are spending the taxpayers' money. And listen to citizens. I've come to meetings having made a decision, but I've changed my mind after listening to citizens who come and speak at council."
In his speech at the Lincoln Day event, Republican Mark Neumann, a candidate for Wisconsin governor, noted Henke's decision.
"This county has been made great by people like you," he said, pointing at Henke, "who put their business aside to serve in government and help create jobs."
In an interview after the event, Henke said he will maintain his seat on the council until January, if elected to the Assembly.
"That's when the Assembly starts and it's practically a full-time job," he said.
Henke said he would suggest the names of two or three people whom he would like Ron Marsh, Monroe's mayor, to consider appointing to fill the remainder of his term. The next alderman in Ward 8 would be elected in April 2011.
Henke was born and raised in Wisconsin Rapids. He graduated from Lincoln High School in 1969, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Technology in 1974 from UW-Stout.
In 1976, he and his wife Judi, moved to Monroe, where he started building homes with Amwood Homes.
They bought the home building operation in 1982.
Dan and Judi Henke, married 38 years, have four sons, three daughters-in-law and two grandchildren.
His campaign slogan is Build a Better Wisconsin.
Henke made his official announcement at The Idle Hour Mansion, during the Republican Party of Green County Lincoln Day Recep-tion.
Davis, R-Oregon, is stepping down from the position to pursue his run for the office of lieutenant governor this year.
Henke is currently Alderman of Ward 8, in addition to council president. Henke and Ron Starmer are owners of D-H Builders Inc., Monroe.
"When I ran for council three years ago, Brett (Davis) called me and said, "Why don't you come up to the state and get the housing market started again,'" Henke said.
As a developer and builder of homes and apartments for 33 years, Henke said his forte' is his business experience.
Henke said he has put people to work building 800 homes and apartments.
"Each foundation we dig is another 40 people working," he said.
"I'd like to get on the housing committee, because they keep taking programs away from us," Henke said.
He mentioned specifically single-family housing guaranteed loans and veterans' home loans.
"Veterans need and deserve good housing, and jobs - why not let them work building their own?" he said.
Henke also said he'd like to help get small rural energy efficient homes developed.
Relatively new to politics, Henke said he learned to be patient and to listen during his time on Common Council.
"Walking through the business, you make a decision and it's done," Henke said. "But I learned on council, you should take your time, because you are spending the taxpayers' money. And listen to citizens. I've come to meetings having made a decision, but I've changed my mind after listening to citizens who come and speak at council."
In his speech at the Lincoln Day event, Republican Mark Neumann, a candidate for Wisconsin governor, noted Henke's decision.
"This county has been made great by people like you," he said, pointing at Henke, "who put their business aside to serve in government and help create jobs."
In an interview after the event, Henke said he will maintain his seat on the council until January, if elected to the Assembly.
"That's when the Assembly starts and it's practically a full-time job," he said.
Henke said he would suggest the names of two or three people whom he would like Ron Marsh, Monroe's mayor, to consider appointing to fill the remainder of his term. The next alderman in Ward 8 would be elected in April 2011.
Henke was born and raised in Wisconsin Rapids. He graduated from Lincoln High School in 1969, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Technology in 1974 from UW-Stout.
In 1976, he and his wife Judi, moved to Monroe, where he started building homes with Amwood Homes.
They bought the home building operation in 1982.
Dan and Judi Henke, married 38 years, have four sons, three daughters-in-law and two grandchildren.